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Arias A, Schander JA, Bariani MV, Correa F, Domínguez Rubio AP, Cella M, Cymeryng CB, Wolfson ML, Franchi AM, Aisemberg J. Dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction modulates expression of placental vascular growth factors and fetal and placental growth. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaab006. [PMID: 33528567 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) is a central topic of interest in medicine since GCs are essential for the maturation of fetal organs and intrauterine growth. Synthetic glucocorticoids, which are used in obstetric practice, exert beneficial effects on the fetus, but have also been reported to lead to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). In this study, a model of growth restriction in mice was established through maternal administration of dexamethasone during late gestation. We hypothesised that GC overexposure may adversely affect placental angiogenesis and fetal and placental growth. Female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to control or dexamethasone treatment, either left to give birth or euthanised on days 15, 16, 17 and 18 of gestation followed by collection of maternal and fetal tissue. The IUGR rate increased to 100% in the dexamethasone group (8 mg/kg body weight on gestational days 14 and 15) and pups had clinical features of symmetrical IUGR at birth. Dexamethasone administration significantly decreased maternal body weight gain and serum corticosterone levels. Moreover, prenatal dexamethasone treatment not only induced fetal growth retardation but also decreased placental weight. In IUGR placentas, VEGFA protein levels and mRNA expression of VEGF receptors were reduced and NOS activity was lower. Maternal dexamethasone administration also reduced placental expression of the GC receptor, αGR. We demonstrated that maternal dexamethasone administration causes fetal and placental growth restriction. Furthermore, we propose that the growth retardation induced by prenatal GC overexposure may be caused, at least partially, by an altered placental angiogenic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Arias
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - J A Schander
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M V Bariani
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F Correa
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A P Domínguez Rubio
- Laboratorio Interdisciplinario de Dinámica Celular y Nanoherramientas, Instituto de Química Biológica Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN-UBA-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M Cella
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - C B Cymeryng
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología Molecular, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - M L Wolfson
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - A M Franchi
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - J Aisemberg
- Laboratorio de Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (CEFyBO-UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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M Dave K, Kaur L, Randhir KN, Mehendale SS, Sundrani DP, Chandak GR, Joshi SR. Placental growth factor and Fms related tyrosine kinase-1 are hypomethylated in preeclampsia placentae. Epigenomics 2021; 13:257-269. [PMID: 33471580 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study aims to examine the DNA methylation (DNAm) and expression patterns of genes associated with placental angiogenesis in preeclampsia. Materials & methods: DNAm and expression were examined in normotensive (n = 100) and preeclampsia (n = 100) women using pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time PCR respectively. Results: Hypomethylation at several CpGs was observed in PlGF and FLT-1 in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive controls. PlGF expression was lower in women with preeclampsia while FLT-1 expression was comparable. DNAm at various CpGs was negatively correlated with expression in both the genes and were associated with maternal blood pressure and birth outcomes. Conclusion: DNAm and expression of angiogenic factors in placentae are differentially regulated in preeclampsia and influence birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal M Dave
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
| | - Lovejeet Kaur
- Genomic Research on Complex diseases (GRC Group), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Karuna N Randhir
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
| | - Savita S Mehendale
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College & Hospital, Pune 411043, India
| | - Deepali P Sundrani
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
| | - Giriraj R Chandak
- Genomic Research on Complex diseases (GRC Group), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Sadhana R Joshi
- Mother & Child Health, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be) University, Pune 411043, India
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Ravikumar G, Mukhopadhyay A, Mani C, Kocchar P, Crasta J, Thomas T, Dwarkanath P, Thomas A, Kurpad AV, Sridhar TS. Placental expression of angiogenesis-related genes and their receptors in IUGR pregnancies: correlation with fetoplacental and maternal parameters. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 33:3954-3961. [PMID: 30922130 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1593362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Aberrations in placental vascular development compromising fetal supply of oxygen and essential nutrients can be a significant contributor to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The development of placental vascular tree is under the influence of two families of growth factors, namely the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and angiopoietin/TEK family. In this study, we have examined the expression of angiogenesis-related growth factors, mainly VEGF family and angiopoietin-TEK (endothelial-specific receptor tyrosine kinase) family genes in placentae from IUGR pregnancies uncomplicated by preeclampsia (PE) compared to normal pregnancies.Methods: Placentae from normotensive IUGR (n = 42) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies (n = 47) were collected and examined histologically. Clinical parameters were obtained from the medical records. Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to assess placental transcript abundance of VEGF, PGF, FLT1, ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and TEK normalized to a panel of reference genes. Associations of placental transcript abundance of the genes with maternal, placental, and neonatal parameters were tested.Results: Placental transcript abundance for VEGF (relative expression 10.81 versus 12.98, p < .001), PGF (12.14 versus 13.8, p < .001) and ANGPT2 (3.67 versus 9.55, p = .002) were significantly lower in IUGR placentae compared to AGA. The transcript level of VEGF showed significant negative correlation with birth weight (r = -0.419, p = .006), placental weight (r = -0.318, p = .040), placental length (r = -0.389, p = .011) and breadth (r = -0.308, p = .047) only in the IUGR group. Presence of histopathological features of hypoxia correlated with significantly higher transcript levels of PGF in IUGR placentae (12.6 versus 10.9, p = .046).Conclusion: The low levels of VEGF transcripts may be responsible for the impaired angiogenesis in IUGR placentae. The significance of higher relative expression of PGF in the presence of chronic hypoxia needs to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayatri Ravikumar
- Department of Pathology, St. John's Medical College, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Arpita Mukhopadhyay
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Ceera Mani
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Prachi Kocchar
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Julian Crasta
- Department of Pathology, St. John's Medical College, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Tinku Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics, St. John's Medical College, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Pratibha Dwarkanath
- Division of Nutrition, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Annamma Thomas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. John's Medical College Hospital, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Anura V Kurpad
- Department of Physiology, Division of Nutrition, St. John's Medical College, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
| | - Tirumalai Srinivas Sridhar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, St. John's Research Institute, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India
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Liu J, Mosavati B, Oleinikov AV, Du E. Biosensors for Detection of Human Placental Pathologies: A Review of Emerging Technologies and Current Trends. Transl Res 2019; 213:23-49. [PMID: 31170377 PMCID: PMC6783355 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Substantial growth in the biosensor research has enabled novel, sensitive and point-of-care diagnosis of human diseases in the last decade. This paper presents an overview of the research in the field of biosensors that can potentially predict and diagnosis of common placental pathologies. A survey of biomarkers in maternal circulation and their characterization methods is presented, including markers of oxidative stress, angiogenic factors, placental debris, and inflammatory biomarkers that are associated with various pathophysiological processes in the context of pregnancy complications. Novel biosensors enabled by microfluidics technology and nanomaterials is then reviewed. Representative designs of plasmonic and electrochemical biosensors for highly sensitive and multiplexed detection of biomarkers, as well as on-chip sample preparation and sensing for automatic biomarker detection are illustrated. New trends in organ-on-a-chip based placental disease models are highlighted to illustrate the capability of these in vitro disease models in better understanding the complex pathophysiological processes, including mass transfer across the placental barrier, oxidative stress, inflammation, and malaria infection. Biosensor technologies that can be potentially embedded in the placental models for real time, label-free monitoring of these processes and events are suggested. Merger of cell culture in microfluidics and biosensing can provide significant potential for new developments in advanced placental models, and tools for diagnosis, drug screening and efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Babak Mosavati
- College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - Andrew V Oleinikov
- Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
| | - E Du
- College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida; Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.
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Thiele K, Hierweger AM, Riquelme JIA, Solano ME, Lydon JP, Arck PC. Impaired Progesterone-Responsiveness of CD11c + Dendritic Cells Affects the Generation of CD4 + Regulatory T Cells and Is Associated With Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:96. [PMID: 30858825 PMCID: PMC6397849 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 10% of pregnancies in Western societies are affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). IUGR reduces short-term neonatal survival and impairs long-term health of the children. To date, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IUGR are largely unknown, but the failure to mount an adequate endocrine and immune response during pregnancy has been proposed to facilitate the occurrence of IUGR. A cross talk between the pregnancy hormone progesterone and innate immune cell subsets such as dendritic cells (DCs) is vital to ensure adequate placentation and fetal growth. However, experimental strategies to pinpoint distinct immune cell subsets interacting with progesterone in vivo have long been limited. In the present study, we have overcome this limitation by generating a mouse line with a specific deletion of the progesterone receptor (PR) on CD11c+ DCs. We took advantage of the cre/loxP system and assessed reproductive outcome in Balb/c-mated C57Bl/6 PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt females. Balb/c-mated C57Bl/6 PRwt/wtCD11ccre/wt females served as controls. In all dams, fetal growth and development, placental function and maternal immune and endocrine adaptation were evaluated at different gestational time points. We observed a significantly reduced fetal weight on gestational day 13.5 and 18.5 in PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt females. While frequencies of uterine CD11c+ cells were similar in both groups, an increased frequency of co-stimulatory molecules was observed on DCs in PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt mice, along with reduced frequencies of CD4+ FoxP3+ and CD8+ CD122+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Placental histomorphology revealed a skew toward increased junctional zone at the expense of the labyrinth in implantations of PRflox/floxCD11ccre/wt females, accompanied by increased plasma progesterone concentrations. Our results support that DCs are highly responsive to progesterone, subsequently adapting to a tolerogenic phenotype. If such cross talk between progesterone and DCs is impaired, the generation of pregnancy-protective immune cells subsets such as CD4+ and CD8+ Treg cells is reduced, which is associated with poor placentation and IUGR in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Thiele
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kristin Thiele
| | - Alexandra Maximiliane Hierweger
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Isabel Amambay Riquelme
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - María Emilia Solano
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - John P. Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Petra Clara Arck
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Petra Clara Arck
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Sequential concentrations of placental growth factor and haptoglobin, and their relation to oestrone sulphate and progesterone in pregnant Spanish Purebred mare. Theriogenology 2018; 115:77-83. [PMID: 29730538 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to establish reference values for serum concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF) and haptoglobin (Hp), and to analyze whether the levels of oestrone sulphate (E1S) and progesterone (P4) are physiologically involved in the dynamic modifications of the above parameters in pregnant mares. A total of 30 healthy Spanish Purebred mares ranging in age 9.33 ± 3.31 years were studied during the 11 months of gestation. Serum concentrations of PlGF were detected by EIA, Hp using commercial Phase Haptoglobin assay and E1S and P4 levels through RIA. The serum concentrations of PlGF ranged between 31.70 and 223.60 ng/mL, with a mean value of 57.64 ± 18.05 ng/mL. Serum PlGF levels increased significantly during the 1st and 2nd months, reaching the maximum value in the 3rd month and the minimum value in the 10th month. Hp concentrations increased progressively and significantly from the 5th until the 10th month of gestation (P < 0.05), decreasing in the 11th month of pregnancy. E1S increased significantly from the 3rd until the 7th month, decreasing progressively towards the end of gestation. P4 increased significantly in the 3rd and 4th month and decreased significantly in the 6th and 7th (P < 0.05), with variable oscillations during last months of pregnancy. PlGF and Hp were significantly and negatively correlated (r = -0.27; P < 0.05). In the healthy mare, PlGF and Hp act asynchronously and independent of steroid E1S and P4.
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Fitzgerald W, Gomez-Lopez N, Erez O, Romero R, Margolis L. Extracellular vesicles generated by placental tissues ex vivo: A transport system for immune mediators and growth factors. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e12860. [PMID: 29726582 PMCID: PMC6021205 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM To study the mechanisms of placenta function and the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in pregnancy, it is necessary to develop an ex vivo system that retains placental cytoarchitecture and the primary metabolic aspects, in particular the release of EVs and soluble factors. Here, we developed such a system and investigated the pattern of secretion of cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles by placental villous and amnion tissues ex vivo. METHODS OF STUDY Placental villous and amnion explants were cultured for 2 weeks at the air/liquid interface and their morphology and the released cytokines and EVs were analyzed. Cytokines were analyzed with multiplexed bead assays, and individual EVs were analyzed with recently developed techniques that involved EV capture with magnetic nanoparticles coupled to anti-EV antibodies and flow cytometry. RESULTS Ex vivo tissues (i) remained viable and preserved their cytoarchitecture; (ii) maintained secretion of cytokines and growth factors; (iii) released EVs of syncytiotrophoblast and amnion epithelial cell origins that contain cytokines and growth factors. CONCLUSION A system of ex vivo placental villous and amnion tissues can be used as an adequate model to study placenta metabolic activity in normal and complicated pregnancies, in particular to characterize EVs by their surface markers and by encapsulated proteins. Establishment and benchmarking the placenta ex vivo system may provide new insight in the functional status of this organ in various placental disorders, particularly regarding the release of EVs and cytokines. Such EVs may have a prognostic value for pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Fitzgerald
- Section of Intercellular Interactions, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Offer Erez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Leonid Margolis
- Section of Intercellular Interactions, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI
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Li Y, Lorca RA, Su EJ. Molecular and cellular underpinnings of normal and abnormal human placental blood flows. J Mol Endocrinol 2018; 60:R9-R22. [PMID: 29097590 PMCID: PMC5732864 DOI: 10.1530/jme-17-0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal placental function is well-established as a major cause for poor pregnancy outcome. Placental blood flow within the maternal uteroplacental compartment, the fetoplacental circulation or both is a vital factor in mediating placental function. Impairment in flow in either or both vasculatures is a significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcome, potentially impacting maternal well-being, affecting immediate neonatal health and even influencing the long-term health of the infant. Much remains unknown regarding the mechanistic underpinnings of proper placental blood flow. This review highlights the currently recognized molecular and cellular mechanisms in the development of normal uteroplacental and fetoplacental blood flows. Utilizing the entities of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction as clinical phenotypes that are often evident downstream of abnormal placental blood flow, mechanisms underlying impaired uteroplacental and fetoplacental blood flows are also discussed. Deficiencies in knowledge, which limit the efficacy of clinical care, are also highlighted, underscoring the need for continued research on normal and abnormal placental blood flows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchun Li
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyDivision of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ramón A Lorca
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyDivision of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Emily J Su
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine/Division of Reproductive Sciences, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Lecuyer M, Laquerrière A, Bekri S, Lesueur C, Ramdani Y, Jégou S, Uguen A, Marcorelles P, Marret S, Gonzalez BJ. PLGF, a placental marker of fetal brain defects after in utero alcohol exposure. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2017; 5:44. [PMID: 28587682 PMCID: PMC5461764 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0444-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Most children with in utero alcohol exposure do not exhibit all features of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and a challenge for clinicians is to make an early diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) to avoid lost opportunities for care. In brain, correct neurodevelopment requires proper angiogenesis. Since alcohol alters brain angiogenesis and the placenta is a major source of angiogenic factors, we hypothesized that it is involved in alcohol-induced brain vascular defects. In mouse, using in vivo repression and overexpression of PLGF, we investigated the contribution of placenta on fetal brain angiogenesis. In human, we performed a comparative molecular and morphological analysis of brain/placenta angiogenesis in alcohol-exposed fetuses. Results showed that prenatal alcohol exposure impairs placental angiogenesis, reduces PLGF levels and consequently alters fetal brain vasculature. Placental repression of PLGF altered brain VEGF-R1 expression and mimicked alcohol-induced vascular defects in the cortex. Over-expression of placental PGF rescued alcohol effects on fetal brain vessels. In human, alcohol exposure disrupted both placental and brain angiogenesis. PLGF expression was strongly decreased and angiogenesis defects observed in the fetal brain markedly correlated with placental vascular impairments. Placental PGF disruption impairs brain angiogenesis and likely predicts brain disabilities after in utero alcohol exposure. PLGF assay at birth could contribute to the early diagnosis of FASD.
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